Definition

A concussion is an injury to your brain. The brain does not work right for a while after a concussion. You may have problems with things like memory, balance, concentration, judgement, and coordination.

Your brain will need time to heal after a concussion. Most will have a full recovery with the proper rest and monitoring.

Causes

A concussion is caused by a sudden, violent jolt to the brain. It may be caused by:

Risk Factors

Participation in contact sports like football or boxing, especially during competition

Work that involves farming, logging, or construction where the potential for a head injury is high

Being in a car accident

Increased susceptibility to concussion

Alcohol intoxication

Symptoms

A concussion can cause symptoms that may last for days, weeks, or even longer.

Symptoms may include:

Confusion

Loss of consciousness or memory about the accident

Low-grade headache or neck pain

Nausea

Trouble:

Remembering things

Paying attention or concentrating

Organizing daily tasks

Making decisions and solving problems

Slowness in thinking, acting, speaking, or reading

Feeling fatigued or tired

Change in sleeping pattern:

Sleeping much longer than usual

Trouble sleeping

Loss of balance

Feeling lightheaded

Increased sensitivity to:

Sounds

Lights

Distractions

Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily

Loss of sense of taste or smell

Ringing in the ears or trouble hearing

Mood changes:

Feeling sad, anxious, or listless

Becoming easily irritated or angry for little or no reason

Lacking motivation

Seizures

Symptoms that may appear in a child with a concussion include:

Listlessness or tiring easily

Irritability or crankiness

Changes in:

Eating or sleeping patterns

Play

Behavior

School performance

Lack of interest in favorite toys or activities

Loss of new skills, such as toilet training

Loss of balance, unsteady walking

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and how the injury occurred. Others who witnessed the accident may also be asked to describe what happened and how you reacted. A physical exam will be done. It will often include brief tests for strength, sensation, balance, reflexes, and memory.

Imaging tests evaluate the head, brain, and surrounding structures for injury and/or damage. These may include:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to allow the brain to heal. The brain can heal on its own with rest and avoiding activities that may be harmful while it heals.

Mental and Physical Rest

You brain will need full rest. This means avoiding physical activities and decreasing mentally demanding tasks. At first you will need to avoid all activities that need concentration like work or schoolwork. For children this also includes video games, watching television, computer activities, or texting.

You will be asked to gradually add in mental and physical activities once your initial symptoms are gone at rest. Your symptoms, balance, cognition and tolerance to your current activity will be assessed at each stage of recovery. This information will be used to decide if you will need further rest or if you are ready to progress to the next step.

Follow your doctor's directions on when you should return to work or school. Following the recommended schedule will help to speed your recovery.

Prevent Further Damage

The brain is more vulnerable to injuries while it is healing. Some steps to consider include:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References:

Can you recognize a concussion? American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation website. Available at:
http://www.aapmr.org/patients/conditions/neurologic/brain/Pages/concuss.aspx.
Accessed January 14, 2015.

Halstead ME, Walter KD, Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. American Academy of Pediatrics. Clinical report--sport-related concussion in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2010 Sep;126(3):597-615. full-text

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